City Council to consider ban on synthetic drugs

Posted: Friday, Aug 8th, 2014BY: Luke Phillips

ATASCADERO — On Tuesday the Atascadero City Council will consider a ban on two types of synthetic drugs, known on the streets as ‘bath salts’ and ‘spice’.

The police department is proposing the new ordinance after synthetic drugs have become an increasing problem in the city in recent months. In a staff report provided to the city council, the police department acknowledges that synthetic drugs are being sold by retailers in Atascadero and are routinely found on suspects.

So-called baths salts generally contain man-made chemicals related to amphetamines that often consist of methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone and methylon. The chemicals are said to produce effects similar to those of cocaine.

Sythetic marijuana, or spice, consists of plant materials that have been laced with synthetic cannabinoids and other chemicals to produce an effect that is sometimes similar to the effects of marijuana.

While the federal government has already banned many of the chemicals found in the designer drugs, manufacturers have adapted by changing the chemical make-up of the products to include different chemicals that have not yet been banned.